The importation of plants from around the world has become a major industry in the United States, valued at more than $500 billion. According to a study conducted by UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, that economic boon has also had devastating effects on the environment. Researchers found that almost 70 percent of the most damaging non-native forest insects and diseases currently afflicting US forests arrived via imported live plants.

The importation of plants from around the world has become a major industry in the United States, valued at more than $500 billion. According to a new study that economic boon has also had devastating ...